Dublin legend issues warning for GAA and inter-county managers as huge issue needs to be ‘bottomed out'
JASON Sherlock has grown concerned at the increased demands of inter-county managers.
Sherlock sees an issue with many head coaches putting in a huge amount of hours into their roles despite not being full-time managers.
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The GAA president, Jarlath Burns, is also concerned by the ongoing issue
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The 49-year-old is worried by the treatment of inter-county managers
With 11 inter-county managers leaving their role this season, that makes it the fourth year in a row with over 10 exits from head coaches.
Jarlath Burns had hinted at the possibility of contracts for inter-county managers rather than the current term system in place.
In 2024 the GAA president had said: "I think there will be a debate on whether we should put managers on contract.
"It is nearly a full-time job, the amount of accountability is there. Even when you are winning there can be difficulty listening to criticism."
Sherlock has had his own taste of inter-county coaching, having worked as a forwards coach under Jim Gavin at Dublin from 2014 to 2019 and also worked as a performance coach with Dessie Dolan at Westmeath.
He believes the issue will need to be addressed sooner rather than later.
When talking on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1 about the issue, Sherlock said: "I get why the GAA are looking at that.
"I always looked at Jim Gavin and then I was involved with Dessie Dolan with Westmeath for a couple of years and it's such a big commitment from a time perspective.
"You only have to look at the amount of vacancies there are with GAA managers now at the moment.
"At the end of the day there's very little reward because a lot of these counties, with respect, are never going to be competitive at the highest level with the current structures that are there.
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"I can understand why we're looking at it and it probably does need to be bottomed out because I'm not sure how sustainable it is for people to have a working 9-5 role and be a manager of an inter-county football or hurling team."
The former Westmeath boss Dolan had revealed a head coach role at inter-county level demands "40 hours a week at the very least in championship football."
PLAYERS SET THE STANDARD
Sherlock believes it's the ambition of the players which drives the demanding hours from the bosses.
The 1995 All-Ireland winner explained: "I think the players have set the standards and they're constantly looking to improve and become better. From a management perspective then you have to kind of respect that.
"You have to be better and you have to give them the information, the feedback and the data that they look for.
"That all takes time, so if that's the way the game is going, the workload will remain or grow. Again you only have to look at the All-Ireland final as a spectacle.
"Whenever a game is played the right way, it is one of the best games in the world so I have no problem with players and managers wanting to be the best that they can be.
"I suppose that has to be balanced in terms of our association and what's sustainable. At the end of the day what I've always loved about GAA is that if you were willing to give the time and the effort, there was a place for you.
"Unfortunately now players and coaches have to make that call on whether they can do this and balance everything else that's in their life."
SHERLOCK BACK ON THE CASE?
Sherlock has not ruled out a return to GAA coaching or maybe even in another sport in the future.
The eight-time Leinster title winner added: "I've always said I'm a student of sport. I love sport, I really enjoy it and obviously I have a big draw to GAA.
"I have my views and philosophies on that. It's great being involved in a GAA environment but the balance to that is it's a lot of time. It's a lot of sacrifice. It's a lot of commitment.
"I'm obviously very curious and I've no doubt, no matter what I do, sport will be a big part of my future."
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